Team effort helps Colorado over SLU in WBIT

Colorado forward Jade Masogayo scored 15 points on just six field goals against Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday, using her unique dexterity and aggression to score at will. (Photo by Cristian Blanco/Sko Buffs Sports

The Colorado women’s basketball team (21-12) kicked off the first round of the Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament (WBIT) on Thursday night. The No. 1-seeded Buffs took on Southeastern Louisiana Lady Lions (26-6) at the CU Events Center and protected their home court against a tough Southland conference foe. The Buffs led for the entirety of the matchup, winning by a final score of 73 -41. 

JR Payne’s squad had plenty of motivation to make a statement in their first matchup after narrowly missing the NCAA Tournament. CU reframed this disappointment into drive, with several seniors getting the chance to play at home one last time.

The Lady Lions came in with intensity and pressure out of the gate, boasting both the offensive and defensive players of the year in their respective conference. Subbing five at a time, the visitors were able to stay fresh even at a higher-than-usual altitude. 

Despite SLU boasting a regular season conference championship, the black and gold had the size advantage and made dominating the boards a point of emphasis. The Buffs outrebounded the Lady Lions by a margin of 15. 

As has been the case for much of the season, Jade Masogayo proved to be a difference-maker for the Buffs and showed just how powerful of a player she can be.

On the eve of CU’s WBIT debut, Payne noted how significantly Masogayo’s confidence has grown. 

“I think she’s finally seeing herself the way the rest of us see her,” Payne said.

The talented junior showed her scoring versatility from the jump, securing the first two buckets for the Buffs and not slowing from then on. All 6-foot-3 of Masogayo’s frame made an impact against an undersized Lady Lions team. 

While CU was able to maintain ultimate control, turnovers continued to be a major problem. Nineteen amassed by the end of the night, allowing the Buffs’ once-substantial to be cut to 10 in the third quarter.

A strong fourth-quarter stand allowed CU’s lead to expand drastically, outscoring SLU 19-5. A 21-point scoring run combined with holding the Lady Lions to 26% shooting stretched the margin of victory to 32 within the final minutes. 

Eight players were in the scoring column for the Buffs, who shot 57% from the field. Lior Garzon led the way with 18 points. Masogayo chipped in 15 to go along with three blocks. Kindyll Wetta neared a triple-double with 10 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

The Buffs will look to continue their postseason run on Sunday against the Gonzaga Bulldogs, where Payne formerly coached. Watch WBIT play continue on ESPN+ at 1 p.m. MT.